Don’t stress over a drug test–Hunger and stress elevate THC levels
September 15th, 2009 | by J.Marcu |A recent animal study out of Australia showed for the first time that food deprivation and stress hormones may enhance the release of THC stored in fat, thus increasing the amount of cannabinoids in the blood. The results may provide a mechanism for so called “Cannabis Flashbacks,” explaining instances where ex-cannabis users that were exposed to stress or under went weight loss, tested positive for THC.
THC is a lipophillic, fat loving or fat-like compound, that is rapidly absorbed or stored in fat. Interestingly, some researchers have discovered that THC accumulates in rodent gonadal fat tissue (epididymal) at higher levels than any other fatty tissue including the brain and liver (Ravitch 1979). In, humans it is still somewhat unclear where most of the THC gathers for its stay in the body. The precise mechanism whereby THC is released from fat is unknown but it appears THC is NOT metabolized in fat. THC is degraded by the liver to the excreted product: 11-Hydroxy-THC. Furthermore, THC has been found in fat 28 days since the last exposure. This long term storage of THC is consistent with observations that users can test positive after 77 days at levels >20ng/ml (Ellis et al 1985).
The authors suggest that it could be possible for THC to cause intoxication after being stored and released from fat. However,several things can cause THC release: stress,food deprivation, weight loss, exercise, physical or mental stress. However, MUCH MORE research is need in order to determine if it’s even possible to cause a measurable intoxication. Important questions remain like, “What’s the difference between a ‘perma-high‘ and a ‘cannabis flashback’? Will eating a lot of food and remaining sedentary help you test negative for THC? And if THC intoxication can occur from physical activity, then could Santonio Holmes have caught the winning pass in super bowl 43 while intoxicated?…similar analogies apply to Ricky Williams, Rob Van Dam, Michael Phelps, and other professional athletes.
Eating your way through a drug test is an attractive speculation. However, it would olny work if it was balanced with remaining abstinent from cannabis use.
By Hempsci on Sep 21, 2009
I thought that almost all THC was metabolized to 11-Hydroxy within a few hours of ingestion? I know that piss tests test for 11-Hydroxy not THC, because of this. A blood test for THC must be administered within a few hours to find any THC. Anyway I doubt levels of any THC found in fat would be enough to cause intoxication. This is like the piss test people saying that a positive test shows that a person with a positive piss test can’t be driving a car, when in fact it shows previous exposure to THC, Testing positive for 11-Hydroxy does not mean any impairment, as 11-Hydroxy is not psychoactive active.
-Hempsci
By J.Marcu on Sep 22, 2009
Thanks for the question.I think you are confused…The point is that active THC or Delta 9 THC is stored in fat. It is stored in fat, but it is not metabolized while it is stored in fat. Hence active THC can be released from fat into blood at detectable levels.
Yes, all THC is eventually degraded by the liver but like the article says, THC is rapidly cleared from the blood, it is both metabolized and stored in fat–They are not the same thing.
I encourage you to read the original publication.